Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-10-13

back the next day, and was found quietly
installed in his kennel, if he had never
left it.
One Sabbath afternoon, after vespers, an
old man entered the PEASANTS courtyard.
He was over 50 years of age His stiff bear
ing, bronZed complexion and manly aspect
at once revealed the military veteran. An
open countenance set off to advantage the
spare, silvery locks; two light blue eyes gave
a grave and goodly expression TO his face;
while his white mustache grew down over
his mouth to his chin. He wore boots that
reached to his knees, long overcoat in dark
blue CLOTH white necztie, and a gray hat
In his hand, for show rather than use, he
held stick with shining knob, on his breast
shone the cross of the Legion of Honor
strung to an old piece OF faded red ribbon,
which still bore black stains due to the gun
powder at Waterloo.
The old soldier was received with tokens
of kindness and reverence; he was shown
into the large room which that day offered
an unusually solemn aspect with its washed
and sanded floor. Some flowers in an earth
enware pot on the window sill diffused their
sweetness over the place. and the sun shohe
cheerfuliy through the little sparkling glass
panes.
The two men sat down before the large deal
table, and when the young woman had
brought brandy. bread and salt, cheese and
sausage, they began TO speak about the war
VOlnizkl recounted the events at Spltchern,
Saint Prvat and Buzenval, while the Old
man spoke of Lutzan, Dresden and Leipslc,
I.jruv and Quatre- Bras Every time France
AMI the emperor's name were mentioned the
old man raised his hat Meanwhile, the chill
drep PLAYED in the yard, and--that the holi
dav should be a general one-the dog was let
loose from his kennel.
Presently the animal appeared on the
threshold looked up inquisitively at the aged
man, drew near to and scented him.
What sort of dog is thatp inquired the
| Old soldier; 'he is not from these parts.
| Il brought him back with me from
| France" replied Volnizki-
From France~
Hes a bad animal" said the young
! woman
| "Ani disobedent,p said the little boy.
! al tried to teach him few tricks" added
| Volmizki, but all TO no purpose; he under
stands nothing, absolutely nothing"
The old man laughed.
MY friends said he, "the reason is oh
vious The poor brute doesn't understand
your tongue"
"Well, now, that beats everything ex-
claimed Volnizki.
"Why, of course; what confidence can he
have in people whose tongue is foreign to
hing continued the Old veteran of Napoleon.
How shall he obey, when he cannot under
stand the order that is given"
THAT" said V7'nizki, lis thing l never
thought of. Ana, he added, "as don't know
French there is no help for it,"
Wait Bit said the old man, as he turned
toward the animal, whose eyes were atten
lively fixed on his own. He began to speak
to the dog in good French vernacular: "Yor
don't understand word they have to say, dc
you, my friends On that account they cal
YOU wicked dog; but you are brave brute
know, and will be most obedient wheI
spoken to in your own decent language, wont
you"
The dog prcked his ears, beat the floor witt
his tail and his whole frame thrilled witt
conscious pleasure at the sound of the ole
mans voice. Suddenly as if unable to with
stand so direct an appeal, the dog whined
bounded forward and leaped up to the OLE
mans neck barking with all his might
See whether | am not right" exclaimeS
the veteran warrior, whether he under
stands me or not"
The dog went and came about the place
ran from one room to another with sparkling
ewes and quivering limbs like one who haf
taken leave of his senses. He invariably
came back to the old man, barking, jumping
or wagging the tail to lick his hand; ant
finally crouched down painting at his feet
the poor beasts large, red, feverish tongu
Iolling out between the corner of the moutl
and the fore teeth.
The two men again resumed their CONVEX
sation and spoke of war, battles, cavalry at
tarks, or the more savage struggle at tn
point of the bayouet
At last the old man took his departure, fol
lowed by the dog, who seemed to obey him a
if he had never had another master.
The veteran soldier stood for moment i
the doorway and looked around him. Tn
sun had set and bright, red glare shone gu
in the west, piercing the twilight and silver
mists of evening.
1T is thus that his glory went down, sal
he, as he pointed with trembling hand TOW
ards the horizon; shut his fame shall abid
, forever, and with it the greatness of France
. Yes, my children, it was a glorious era"
He then walked away and the dog 70
lowed, never to leave him afterward Trans
lated from the French for The Chicago Int
Ocean